Posts for: February, 2012

Welcome to....

Northern Foot Care Center's Blog!

We want to stay in touch with you! Check our blog often to find out what’s happening. We hope to share helpful and “healthful” information with you regarding your feet.

The cold and snowy weather has made its presence known in the Upper Peninsula this year. It took awhile but it’s finally here. Winter can take its toll on your feet! During the cold months of the year we are especially prone to allowing our foot care routine to lapse.

Our feet are usually nestled in bulky socks and buried deep in boots. The most common foot problems in the winter are dry, cracked skin and chilblains (small, itchy, red swellings on the skin which expose the foot to the risk of infection). The most important thing to remember in foot care during the winter months is to maintain a steady temperature. Trying not to expose your feet to extreme heat or cold is very important. This is particularly critical for diabetics, who frequently develop neuropathy (the loss of sensation) in their feet and are unable to feel pain. Even if you are just stepping outside for a brief moment to get the paper or take the dog out, be sure to put shoes/boots and socks on and always keep your feet dry.

Dr. Reminga at Northern Foot Care Center says, “Many health problems first manifest themselves in the foot, proper foot care is important to overall health, and is critical for diabetics.”

At Northern Foot Care Center, we provide a wide selection of products for your feet in our office that can help to heal your dry, cracked skin. Also visit our on-line store at: http://www.ourdoctorstore.com/reminga/.

Love Your Feet!

It’s that time of year for hearts and roses. Valentines Day is the time to show your love. How about showing some love to your feet? I ask you…what have you done for your feet lately? The human foot is a biological masterpiece. It’s strong, flexible, versatile, and its functional design enables it to do its job well and without complaint. Well…only if you take care of them and don’t take them for granted.

Your foot health is important to Dr. Reminga at Northern Foot Care Center, we want to give you informative knowledge about foot care so that the health of your feet will not be neglected. Remember to love your feet and they will love you back!!

Here are 10 helpful tips for your feet:

1. Inspect Your Feet Often

Make sure to inspect your feet daily. Any signs of trauma such as redness or blisters, cuts, cracks, swelling or color changes should be reported to Dr. Reminga immediately. Using a mirror can help you see all areas on the bottoms of your feet. This is extra important for diabetics.

2. Does The Shoe Fit?

Be certain that your shoes fit with room to wiggle your toes. Look inside your shoes before putting them on, in case there are any foreign objects hiding in there, such as gravel, that could cause sores or irritation. Wear clean well-fitting socks.

3. Toe The Line

Wash feet everyday and make sure that you dry them thoroughly. Inspect between your toes. Again, this is of utmost importance to diabetics.

4. Nail Care

Always cut nails straight across and then smooth the edges with an emery board. For ease in cutting toenails, trim them after your bath or shower. Diabetics should call our office to schedule routine care for their nails.

5. Do Not Self-Treat

See Dr. Reminga for corns, calluses or ingrown toenails. Do not attempt to self-treat these conditions especially if you are diabetic or have poor circulation..

6. Prevent Cracking

If your skin is dry, apply cream or petroleum jelly to feet and heels, but avoid the area between your toes. If cream sits in the crevices it can waterlog the skin and make it more susceptible to infection.

7. Keep Circulation Flowing

Try not to cross your legs when you sit down. This can limit circulation. Many diabetics already experience poor circulation so this is very important to keep in mind.

8. Keeping It Moderate

Protect your feet from extremes in temperature. Keep bath water temperate in the 85-90 F degree range (30-32 C). If neuropathy (lose of sensation common among diabetics) is present, you may not be able to feel if the water is too hot, and burns could result. Never use heating pads or hot water bottles. Protect your feet from temperatures that are too cold, as well. Prolonged cold can decrease circulation even more.

9. Pump It Up

Ask your healthcare professional about an exercise program that's right for you. Regular exercise improves circulation to all your extremities.

10. Last But Never Least

It's so important to practice preventative care, like the tips listed here, every day. If you notice anything that does not look normal please follow-up with Dr. Reminga at Northern Foot Care Center immediately.